The Guru Meech

When I first arrived at UNLV several years ago my passion was sports journalism. In high school I was given opportunities to announce the J.V. football teams home games and wrote for the high school newspaper. I used to, and still do, love watching and listening to sports programs, events, talk shows, and videos. ESPN was my daily fix and I got my fix for hours throughout the day. To go along with the television I searched all the athletes that were worth being mentioned online and utilized the top sports magazines to keep my up to date on athletes and sports nationwide. I had a passion for telling and reporting sports stories such as breaking news on athletes, statistics, transactions or simple updates. My friend and I would always debate on which sports team was going to do what in there sport. Or, did you see the high school sophomore in Georgia that’s ranked #1 in the world.

I had a serious passion for sports and a desire to want to become involved through journalism something I also had a passion for. However, I left for college and after I took some journalism courses i began to lose the passion I once had for sports journalism. I’m not sure the exact moment I knew journalism wasn’t what I wanted but I knew I wasn’t enjoying it.

My experience in introductory courses sort of pushed me away from journalism taking about this new notion of convergence and how the traditional news is dying down and everything is going online. Technology was never my thing and I thought the traditional characteristics of journalism brought professional and sophisticated image to a privileged field.

After my semester in this course I believe I’m finding myself again through journalism. The evolution in technologies such as the internet, social media and networking sites, cell phones with computers and camera’s and thousands of other technologies that aid journalism. I use to think the technology would water down the journalism and have individuals tuned into things that may not be newsworthy. The technology has done some of those things, but users/journalist that use the technology in a manner that’s professional and productive pave a path for aspiring journalist to follow. This most important thing I will take from this class is that it’s never to late or impossible to become involved. We are given the necessary tools to do what the pros do until we become pro. This course has shown me that I can create a page and begin my career on an independent standpoint. In the beginning of the class this semester we discussed ways new journalist can adapt to be become better journalist for the future. The best advice the article gave was as a journalist learn how to do it all. Broadcast, edit, write, take pictures, and investigate to become a well rounded journalist that have adjusted with the times. I believe this course provides new journalist with the skills to come in knowing nothing and leaving with enough skills to go and become your own journalist. Submitting your ideas online for the world to hear.

Fourth of July weekend in Las Vegas was a blast, like it is every year. Title fights set the tone at the start of the weekend with big knockouts and spectacular championship bouts, with one showing aspirations of a legendary trilogy in the making. The scene continued to pop when the local music scene put on a nice performance which featured artist from California and Las Vegas. The Independence day was capped off with good BBq and macaroni and the traditional walk of the strip and watch the fireworks show over Caesar’s Palace. The holiday was plentiful but it could have been better if mother nature would decide if it’s going to be sunny or rainy. Throughout the weekend and continuing throughout the week the weather has been kinda funky in Vegas. On Saturday dark clouds filled the sky and the temperature was well over 90. The next day it was sunny and hot as usual but mother nature threw a curve ball at Vegas. Around noon the sun that was shining suddenly faded and dark clouds appeared and it began to pour. This wasn’t any regular rain, the drops came down hard and fast lasting for an hour or two. This was most awkward of all because news forecast showed dark clouds but expected high’s in the 100′s with no chance of rain. This pattern continued the holiday and throughout the week. The photos collected are from July 3 when I went to the Las Vegas Bells outlet for an outfit to wear during the 4th’s daily event’s. After an hour of shopping, I exited to a flash flood in the bells parking lot that was created from the rain fall that spontaneously appeared. This left me in total shock because when I arrived and began shopping there was no sign of rain only sunny skies and high heat. The water was so high security was recommending that we not try to drive right away. I immediately start shooting with my camera phone. The flood was so high I had to take off my socks and shoes and roll up my sleeves. Monsoon season is predicted during July throughout September but no matter how scientist explain it the weather is plain silly. Sunny and hot one minute and Thundering with rain and floods the next. The rain threw a weird vibe in the mood of the holiday and was an unpleasant surprise to visitors that are not used to the Vegas weather. However, rain helps aid us from the heat that is constantly present during the summer. We just don’t need the rain during times like the 4th of July when we want to celebrate outdoors. For more pics of the flood check out my flickr photo set at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64529500@N05/sets/72157627143042212/

Independence day weekend kicked off with major MMA and Heavyweight boxing bouts setting the holiday tone in Las Vegas. Vladimir Klitchko and Dominic Cruz solidified their dominance by retaining their respective titles while Chris Leban and Melvin Guillard added to the festivities with big first round knockouts over their opponents. Tonight the fireworks continue to go off and there’s still one day until the fourth. On the fight card tonight we have California’s finest DJ’s take on the best DJ’s Las Vegas has to offer in a LV VS. CA Beat Battle. Tonight’s battle will be held at Daddy Mac’s, which is locally known for supporting the Las Vegas local music scene. Past events, such as Campfire’s showcase performances and  local artist Dulomite’s September 7 mixtape release party, held at Daddy Mac’s have never disappointed with artist from all over the West and most notably the sounds of the native artist. However, whether the artist is from Vegas or Cali, Daddy Mac’s presents artist that produce good music show we always get a good show. The winner of tonight’s battle will receive a $200 cash prize and a guaranteed spot in the December  Las Vegas Beat Battle Championships where the overall beat king is crowned. Producers from reppin’ Vegas are One of Audioink, Madhatter, Kinetic, and Hitman. California Dj’s consist of producers mainly from the Northern California area which are GS the Genius, James Couch Poetiq Beetz and Dex Beats. The event is hosted by Paria, Model Candy, DJ Kelly J and Fatz. Special guest appearances and performances buy Rideout from L.I.F.E Ent, Hack the Mack, Shamroc, Branden Lace, Kid Doms, T.Robb, Clue the Nemesis, K.O.N, and DTR. Judges for tonight’s event are Dj Finyl, Donnie Menace and Producer BabyDee. Doors open at 9:00 p.m and ends at midnight, security will be enforced.

When: July 3, 2011 9:00p.m. – midnight

Where: Daddy Mac’s, 2920 North Green valley Parkway, Suite 6, Henderson 702-272-0913

Admission: $10

18+ Event

UFC and Professional boxing set the tone for an explosive and intense weekend. Fight weekend continues tonight when these DJ’s square off and all the guru recommends for this event is that you get to Daddy Mac’s early, it’s expected to get full. Show your support, cheer loud, and party hard. You never know, you may hear something you might love.

VEGAS VS CALI [ 0:50 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As of today, the National Football League (NFL) is in day 104 of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations which have created a near five week long lockout. The lock out ceases any NFL operation and activities which include player workouts and use of team facilities. The NFL owners and players association continue to meet and have released a statement that they’re optimistic that a new CBA will be reached within the next three weeks. If they are correct and do agree on a new CBA the NFL season will have enough time for a revival and football fanatics will have their beloved game this year. On the other hand these are the same owners and players that were optimistic about not having a lockout and reaching a new CBA months ago. This is the same group that took a ruling that overturned and lifted the lockout to appeals court to have the lockout put back into effect. The NFL will not know an exact date on when the lockout will be lifted so in the mean time, we sports junkies need to feed our sports crave with a certain amount of sports and football fuel. Here are a few recommendations the GURU offers to help ease the pain of NFL lockout talk and provide a true fan with the alternatives that help keep your football blood flowing.

5) Follow other sports

During football season there are other exciting sports to follow that will keep the edgy and competitiveness still burning inside you as a fan. Baseball is getting into its playoff stage during the NFL season and the hunt for October usually leads to an interesting World Series. NBA basketball and college basketball gets underway right around mid football season so just in case the season is cancelled the NBA is right around the corner. Following other sports is also a relief from the stress from the current lockout.

4) Follow the News

This may be weird because it seems like I’m telling you to follow what’s depressing but following the news will keep you properly informed on the latest breaking lockout news. The news also continues to follow celebrities so we may stumble across our favorite player and some off field antics that may affect him or the game.

3 Follow local sports and sports programs

Take this free time to catch up on the new and upcoming prospects in your region or the nation. High school and community youth leagues is where every star began his journey and it’s where every scout goes to find the next big thing, as a fan we must be familiar with our future. Semipro and arena football can be included in the section as well because it’s all football and good football at that.

2) Make College football the new NFL

College football is growing in popularity and the talent gets better every year. The most we have to worry about college football being canceled is if a program is given the death sentence like SMU in the late eighties but even in that case there’s over a hundred other teams to watch. There are multiple bowl games so the chances of your favorite team being in a championship game are greater than the NFL and the kids seem to play harder. This could be number one but we want the NFL, our professionals and celebrity athletes.

1) Don’t worry we will have football

The NFL is a billion dollar business the owners and players will have to settle or they both lose out. They don’t want it nor do we and they are aware of this. Be patient. If we don’t have the season today we will most definitely have it tomorrow. However, in the mean time, don’t give up on football and stay football sharp by staying engage in sports in particular football related sports and programs.

Twitter is a social media that allows its users to share information instantaneously. Given a 140 character limit, users tweet their ideas, stories, engage their audience, and develop their own product. The success of digital media and social networks, such as twitter, have paved the way for journalist to readily adapt to the new way the news is given, received and valued. Journalist utilize twitter as a means to achieve a variety of goals such as networking, breaking news and promoting their work which is vital when journalist need to get their message out. Networking via twitter, helps journalist stay close or follow important people like celebrities, athletes, and other prominent figures. Journalist can do this when they search for followers on twitter either individually or in a group or on certain topics. Journalists also use twitter to release the latest news or obtain the latest news. If there’s news about a player being released, journalist can be the first to break the story via twitter or they can hear the buzz going on about the release. With the right followers, journalist can dig deeper into the story to see why or how the player was released, what the player feels about his release, statements from the team that released him and the list goes on. Having a tool that can connect journalist to mass audiences or target audiences at any given time gives journalist the opportunity promote themselves as a journalist as well. Twitter provides journalist with a space to write their name, biography, picture and page layout to present to their audience which allows the reader to learn more about the journalist. The layout and the content of a journalist tweets are the key to promoting what they like. Twitter is used for a variety of reasons, not just for journalist to deliver the news but for people to express themselves. Journalist can express themselves on news worthy issues and on issues that they deem important which may be a product of theirs. Journalists nowadays, have more than one occupation, so using twitter as a means of selling a brand to followers or just to get a product some attention is still reporting the news and a good business strategy. Twitter is a good tool for journalist to utilize when delivering the news. However, there are some skills you may want to commit to memory when tweeting: 1) make every word count, 2) keep it simple, 3) lead with the good stuff, 4) write killer headlines. (Handley, click hyperlink for more tips) Journalist can use twitter for many reasons but its best to remember that convergence is causing media to switch and use new technology and twitter is a vehicle that will drive journalist to a new plateau.

I selected retromania as my initial theme. This theme is a mild theme that gives off the vibe of preserving significant retro items. The theme is a personal theme that aligns perfectly with the 2DIE4 theme I wish to present. The banner seems to be an unchangeable collage of retro items like the television, record players, ice cream and denim jeans. If I could have I would have changed some of the items in the banner to fit some of the modern artifacts that are  prominent. Things such as sports equipment, celebrity figures, food, big business, and health would be great pictures to add to my banner however, I like retromania and may utilize different pictures and themes with different pages. The color of my theme is not ideal but it’s satisfying because it’s a masculine color that’s not too strong that allows for the text and pictures to stand out. I also like that the color is masculine because I want my viewers to know, when they visit my site, that I’m male and most of my content will be based on male perspectives. The topics I select will be, more than likely, male topics of sports, entertainment, male gossip, male health and male activities. This not to say it’s all about men. NO, not at all. Nor, will I never not mention some news. However, when I do address certain news issues, they will be from a perspective that argues the good of the man while being objective as possible. The theme may hinder variety per page because it’s a one column theme. Therefore, I cannot put multiple stories on one page. The way I will utilize this is by creating multiple pages for different categories and give each page its own theme. I was able to add widget to my page and added a calendar, meta data, links, and flickr photos widgets. These are the most important for now, later i will add facebook links as well as twitter, youtube and recent post. As for now, I’m happy with my theme and really think the best way to put together my site is to have many pages with a variety of themes for each page.